Brazilian dialysis census, 2009

Abstract

Introduction: National dialysis data are fundamental for treatment planning.

Objective: To report data of the annual survey of the Brazilian Society of Nephrology about chronic renal failure patients on dialysis in January 2009.

Methods: A survey based on data of dialysis units from the whole country. The data collection was performed by using a questionnaire filled out by the dialysis units in Brazil.

Results: 427 (69.8%) of the dialysis units in the country answered the questionnaire. National data were estimated for the overall dialysis population. In January 2009, the total estimated number of patients on dialysis was 77,589. The estimated prevalence and incidence rates of chronic renal failure on maintenance dialysis were 405 and 144 patients per million population, respectively. The estimated number of new patients starting dialysis program in 2009 was 27,612. The annual gross mortality rate was 17.1%. For prevalent patients, 39.9% were aged 60 years or older, 89.6% were on hemodialysis and 10.4% on peritoneal dialysis, 30,419 (39.2%) were on a waiting list of renal transplant, 27% were diabetics, 37.9% had serum phosphorus > 5.5 mg/dL and 42.8% hemoglobin < 11 g/dL. A venous catheter was the vascular access for 12.4% of the hemodialysis patients.

Conclusions: The prevalence of chronic renal failure on maintenance dialysis is increasing in Brazil, although in 2009 the estimate is lower than in 2008. The data call attention to indicators of the quality of maintenance dialysis that need to be improved and highlight the importance of the census to guide chronic dialysis therapy.