End-Stage Renal Disease

End-stage renal disease (ESRD), also known as end-stage renal failure (ESRF), is defined as an irreversible decline in kidney function, which is severe enough to be fatal in the absence of dialysis or transplantation. Generally, ESRD occurs when there is less than 10% of renal function remaining.

Important statistics about kidney failure include:

• The prevalence of chronic kidney disease in U.S. adults has been estimated to be 10.8% or approximately 19.2 million people.

• In 2000, end-stage renal disease affected more than 375,000 Americans and is expected to increase to 651,000 by 2010.

• Of the 375,000 persons with end-stage renal disease, 275,000 are on dialysis and more than 100,000 have a functioning kidney transplant.

• The typical end stage renal disease patient is male (55%), Caucasian (60%), and is between the ages of 45-64 (41%).

• Within the United States, 67,000 deaths occur annually as a result of kidney failure.

The most causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) include:

• Diabetes - Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of ESRD and is estimated to be the cause in about 35% of cases.

• Hypertension - High blood pressure is the second leading cause of ESRD and is estimated to be the cause in about 23% of cases.

• Glomerulonephritis - inflammation of the kidney glomeruli, which may be a temporary, reversible condition or it may be progressive resulting in destruction of the kidney glomeruli, is estimated to be the cause of ESRD in about 16% of cases.

• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) - a group of inherited disorders characterized by the growth of numerous fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys. PKD has been estimated to be the cause of ESRD in about 4.3% of cases.

Identification of kidney disease in the early stages is essential to preserving function for as long as possible. Evaluation of renal function can be done by simple blood and urine tests. Screening is especially important for those with hypertension, diabetes, and other medical illnesses that increase the risk for kidney damage.

In general, the treatment options for people with end-stage renal disease include:

• Dialysis
• Kidney transplantation

The prognosis for patients with end-stage renal failure has improved over the past decade because of better treatment modalities and dialysis. The impact of kidney disease varies depending on the presence of other medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

The good news is that people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are living longer than ever. Although dialysis is not a cure for ESRD, it does improve both the quality of life and survival for patients with end-stage renal failure.

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• What are the risk factors of End-Stage Renal Disease?
• What standard and alternative treatment options are available?
• Where are the leading doctors, hospitals and medical centers that specialize in End-Stage Renal Disease research and treatment?
• What are the results of the latest clinical trials?
• Where are the support groups and additional resources in my area?
• What are the promising new treatments on the horizon?

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