2010 report of the Brazilian dialysis census

National chronic dialysis data are fundamental for treatment planning.

To report data of the annual survey of the Brazilian Society of Nephrology about patients with chronic renal failure who were on dialysis in 1 July, 2010.

A national survey based on data from the country's dialysis centers. Data collection was performed by using a questionnaire filled out online by the dialysis centers.

340 (53.3%) centers answered the questionnaire. National data were estimated for the overall dialysis population. In July 2010, the estimated total number of patients on dialysis was 92,091. The estimated prevalence and incidence rates of end-stage chronic kidney disease patients on maintenance dialysis were 483 and 100/million population, respectively. The estimated number of patients starting a dialysis program in 2010 was 18,972. The annual crude mortality rate was 17.9%. Of those on maintenance dialysis, 30.7% were aged 65 years or older, 90.6% were on hemodialysis and 9.4% on peritoneal dialysis, 35,639 (38.7%) were on a kidney transplant waiting list, 28% were diabetics, 34.5% had serum phosphorus levels > 5.5 mg/dL, and 38.5% had hemoglobin levels < 11 g/dL. Vascular access was through a venous catheter in 13.6% of the hemodialysis patients.

The number of end-stage kidney disease patients on maintenance dialysis is increasing in Brazil. Data concerning the indicators of the quality of maintenance dialysis improved compared to the prior year, and they highlight the importance of the census to guide chronic dialysis therapy.