Chronic kidney disease and dialysis in Mexico

The increasing rates in incidence and prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are important challenges for health systems around the world, and are even more significant for undeveloped countries. In Mexico the prevalence of CKD seems to be similar to that in highly developed nations, with diabetes as the leading cause of CKD; however, human and economic resources seem to be insufficient for treatment needs. This is reflected in the unacceptably high mortality rates and in noncompliance with established standards and guidelines. Several measures need to be taken to improve this picture, such as more efficient programs for the prevention of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Organizing a national registry of patients with CKD is now a pressing need, as is a continuous search for additional funding and budgets to increase the number of qualified nephrologists and specialized nurses and to continue the much-needed research on CKD.