RENAL FAILURE

Renal Failure

Renal Failure

Renal failure is a serious medical condition affecting the kidneys. When a person suffers from renal failure, their kidneys are not functioning properly or no longer work at all. Renal failure can be a progressive disease or a temporary one depending on the cause and available treatment options.

The kidneys are glands that are located in the abdominal region just above the pelvis on either side of the body. When functioning normally, the kidneys separate and filter excess water and waste from the blood stream. The kidneys are responsible for producing urine, which is used to flush away the toxins. The kidneys also maintain a healthy balance of fluids and electrolytes, or salt compounds, in the body.

Total Population, 1997

New Cases of End-Stage Renal Disease

Rate per Million

TOTAL

289

Race and ethnicity

American Indian or Alaska Native

586

Asian or Pacific Islander

344

Asian

DNC

Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander

DNC

Black or African American

873

White

218

 

Hispanic or Latino

DNA

Not Hispanic or Latino

DNA

Black or African American

DNA

White

DNA

Gender

Female

242

Male

348

Family income level

Poor

DNC

Near Poor

DNC

Middle/high income

DNC

Select populations

Age groups

Under 20 years

13

20 to 44 years

109

45 to 64 years

545

65 to 74 years

1,296

75 years and older

1,292

The current average annual increase in new cases of treated chronic kidney failure rates is 6 percent. Therefore, the expected rate in 2010 would be 612 new cases per million populations. Without improvements in prevention and because of changes in demographics and increases in the number of cases of diabetes, rates of new cases of treated chronic kidney failure are expected to continue to rise 5 to 8 percent per year.

Persons With Treated Chronic Kidney Failure, 1997

Deaths From Cardiovascular Disease

Per 1,000 Patient Years at Risk

TOTAL

70

Race and ethnicity

American Indian or Alaska Native

63

Asian or Pacific Islander

60

Asian

DNC

Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander

DNC

Black or African American

62

White

75

 

Hispanic or Latino

DNA

Not Hispanic or Latino

DNA

Black or African American

DNA

White

DNA

Gender

Female

73

Male

67

Family income level

Poor

DNC

Near Poor

DNC

Middle/high income

DNC

Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of death among patients with chronic renal failure and ESRD. Therefore, targeting reduction in CVD deaths will lead to a significant decrease in deaths for this population. The increased risk of CVD in kidney disease patients is evident before the onset of terminal kidney failure. Increases in the number of CVD deaths also are seen in individuals with proteinuria or elevated creatinine (both are markers of declining kidney function). CVD death rates in the treated chronic kidney failure population are estimated to be 30-fold higher than in the general population. The known risk factors for CVD in the general population include age, male gender, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, and family history. Elevated homocysteine levels in the blood also may be an important risk factor in treated chronic kidney failure patients and at earlier stages in the progression of kidney disease. Strategies to reduce CVD deaths should target risk reduction before terminal kidney failure. All responsible health care providers can initiate the strategies to reduce CVD deaths as suggested in published guidelines.

Newly Diagnosed Patients With Treated Chronic Kidney Failure, 1996

Received Counseling Prior to Renal Replacement Therapy

Percent

TOTAL

45

Race and ethnicity

American Indian or Alaska Native

DNA

Asian or Pacific Islander

DNA

Asian

DNC

Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander

DNC

Black or African American

DNA

White

DNA

 

Hispanic or Latino

DNA

Not Hispanic or ...