[Epidemiology of functional disorders of the kidneys]

The new classification K/DOQI of chronic renal disease differentiates five stages according to the grade of glomerular filtration. In the fifth, most severe grade (= renal failure) dialyzation/transplantation treatment is indicated. For dialyzation/transplantation activities in developed countries relatively accurate epidemiological data exist (national and supranational registers of dialyzation and transplantation programmes). The number of patients increases year by year, in particular in the more advanced age groups. The predominating diagnosis is renal failure is diabetes. Although treatment by one of the methods substituting renal function involves less than 0.1% of the population the economic costs amount to as much as 6 = of the total expenditure on health services (Medicare data, USA). On the other hand the prevalence of chronic renal disease in less advanced stages is not exactly known. It is estimated that chronic kidney disease may be present in some 10% of the population. If the disease were detected in time and the patient was given professional care which can retard the disease, it would be not only of medical but also of socio-economic benefit.