Renal-related deaths in Australia 1997-1999

Despite marked increases in cases of treated end-stage renal disease in Australia, little is known about renal disease mortality.

To quantify the contribution of renal diseases to mortality in Australia and to explore the relationship between renal disease and other common diseases as causes of death.

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics on underlying and associated causes of death (based on death certificates) were examined for deaths occurring in 1997-1999 and registered by the end of 1999. Causes of death were coded according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10). Several causes outside the ICD-10 chapter on diseases of the genito-urinary system (e.g. diabetic renal disease, hypertensive renal disease and congenital malformations of the kidney) were included as renal.

Of 378,832 recorded deaths, renal disease was coded as the underlying cause for 7888 (2.1%) and as an associated cause for an additional 28,012 (7.4%). Almost all renal deaths (98.4%) had at least one other cause of death recorded on the death certificate.

The contribution of renal disease to Australian mortality has been underestimated because of historical reliance on a single (underlying) cause of death. Deaths involving renal disease usually occur in the context of multiple coexisting chronic and/or acute conditions.