Racial differences in the causes of end-stage renal failure in Natal

This study analyses the age, sex and race of end-stage renal failure ( ESRF ) patients who were referred to the two renal units in Durban from the whole of the province of Natal, as well of the aetiology of the disease. A striking feature was the high incidence of analgesic nephropathy in Whites; this did not cause ESRF in Black, Indian or Coloured patients. In contrast, hypertension was an important cause of ESRF in Black, Indian and Coloured patients. The control of analgesic abuse among Whites and the detection and screening of hypertension in all racial groups, particularly urban Blacks, are imperative. There are searching questions about whether developing countries can afford a chronic renal failure programme.