Replacement therapy in terminal renal failure in Sweden 1975-1981. What resources will be needed in the future?

In 1975 the Swedish Society of Nephrology started annual reports on renal replacement therapy in Sweden. 1975-1981 the annual number of new patients rose from 35 to 52 per million, largely due to increasing numbers of older patients (60 years or more) and of diabetics. In three out of seven health care regions the annual incidence was higher, 41-80 patients per million, than in the other four regions (19-49 patients). These differences correlated with the proportions of older patients and of diabetics, suggesting varying selection criteria. During the same period the total number of patients on replacement therapy rose from 103 to 208 per million, in two regions from about 130 to 250, and in five regions from about 90 to 190 per million. The prevalence graphs for all regions run parallel due to higher mortality rates in the regions with high incidence of replacement therapy. About 50% of the patients had functioning grafts, a percentage which did not change throughout the years. It is suggested that at least 65-75 new patients, including 15-17 diabetics, per million population may be candidates for replacement therapy.