Chapter 2 UK RRT prevalence in 2010: national and centre-specific analyses.

INTRODUCTION: This chapter describes the characteristics of adult patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) in the UK in 2010. METHODS: Data were electronically collected from all 72 renal centres within the UK. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were performed to describe the demographics of prevalent RRT patients in 2010 at centre and national level. Age and gender standardised ratios for prevalence rates per million population per year were calculated. RESULTS: There were 50,965 adult patients receiving RRT in the UK on 31st December 2010. The UK prevalence of RRT (including paediatric patients) was 832 pmp. This represented an annual increase in prevalent numbers of approximately 4% although there was significant variation between centres and regions. From 2009 to 2010 there was a 1.5% increase in the number of patients on haemodialysis (HD), a 3.2% fall in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and a 5.4% increase in patients with a functioning transplant. The number of patients receiving home HD has increased 23% since 2009. Median RRT vintage was 5.6 years. The median age was 57.9 years (HD 66.3 years, PD 61.7 years and transplant 51.2 years) compared to 55 years in 2000. Prevalence rates in males exceeded those in females. The most common identifiable renal diagnosis was biopsyproven glomerulonephritis (16.0%), followed by diabetes (14.9%). Transplantation was the most common treatment modality (48%), HD in 44% and PD 8%. CONCLUSIONS: The HD and transplant population continued to expand whilst the PD population contracted. There were national, regional and dialysis centre level variations in prevalence rates. Prevalent patients were on average 4 years older than 10 years ago. This has implications for service planning and ensuring equity of care for RRT patients.

Chapter 1 UK RRT incidence in 2010: national and centre-specific analyses.

INTRODUCTION: This chapter describes the characteristics of adult patients starting renal replacement therapy (RRT) in the UK in 2010 and the incidence rates for RRT in Primary Care Trusts and Health Boards (PCT/HBs) in the UK. METHODS: The basic demographics and clinical characteristics are reported on patients starting RRT from all UK renal centres. Presentation time, defined as time between first being seen by a nephrologist and start of RRT, was also studied. Age and gender standardised ratios for incidence rates in PCT/HBs were also calculated. RESULTS: In 2010, the incidence rates in the UK and England were similar to 2009 at 107 per million population (pmp). The incidence rate fell in Scotland (from 104 pmp to 95 pmp), increased in Northern Ireland (from 88 pmp to 101 pmp) and Wales (from 120 pmp to 128 pmp). There were wide variations between PCT/HBs in standardised incidence ratios. The median age of all incident patients was 64.9 years (IQR 51.0, 75.2). For transplant centres this was 63.1 years (IQR 49.7, 74.2) and for non-transplanting centres 66.5 years (IQR 52.9, 76.0). The median age for non-Whites was 57.1 years. Diabetic renal disease remained the single most common cause of renal failure (24%). By 90 days, 68.3% of patients were on haemodialysis, 18.1% on peritoneal dialysis, 7.7% had had a transplant and 5.9% had died or stopped treatment. The mean eGFR at the start of RRT was 8.7 ml/ min/1.73 m(2) which was similar to the previous three years. Late presentation (<90 days) fell from 28.2% in 2005 to 20.6% in 2010. There was no relationship between social deprivation and presentation pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence rates have plateaued in England over the last five years. They have fallen in Scotland and fallen and then risen again in Northern Ireland and Wales. Wales continued to have the highest incidence rate of the countries making up the UK.

How much of the regional variation in RRT incidence rates within the UK is explained by the health needs of the general population?

BACKGROUND: Variation in end-stage renal disease treatment rates in the UK persist after adjustment for socio-demographic factors. METHODS: UK-wide ecological study using population socio-demographic factors, health status characteristics and access to health services factor in to explain the incidence of renal replacement therapy (RRT). RESULTS: There was a 6% higher incidence rate of RRT per standard deviation (SD) increase in area diabetes prevalence after adjustment for area level socio-economic deprivation status and the proportion of non-white residents [incidence rate ratio adjusted (IRR adjusted) 1.06 (95% confidence interval 1.03,1.09), P < 0.001]. A 3% lower-adjusted RRT incidence rate was seen with each SD higher proportion of diabetics achieving an HbA1c of <7.5% [IRR 0.97 (0.94, 1.00), P = 0.03]. Hypertension prevalence was independently associated with an 8% higher RRT incidence rate per SD increase [IRR adjusted 1.08 (1.04, 1.11), P < 0.001] and an SD increase in life expectancy in an area was independently associated with 7% lower RRT incidence rate [IRR adjusted 0.93 (0.91, 0.96), P < 0.001]. An SD increase in premature cardiovascular (CV) mortality rate in an area was also independently associated with RRT incidence rates [IRR adjusted 1.06 (1.03, 1.09), P < 0.001]. Rates of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)/angioplasty and knee replacement were positively associated with RRT incidence, but mammography uptake was not associated. In total, 31% of the regional variation in RRT incidence could be explained by these factors. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes prevalence, the proportion of diabetics achieving good glycaemic control, hypertension prevalence, life expectancy, premature CV mortality, CABG/angioplasty and knee replacement rates were all associated with RRT incidence. A third of the regional variation in RRT incidence between areas can be explained by these demographic, health and access to health services factors.