[Dialysis therapy in the Czech Republic in 1993]

1. The number of haemodialyzation centres increased in 1993 to 6.6/1 million population and thus also the number of dialyzation beds increased to 47.1/1 million population. 2. The extended and free dialyzation capacity made it possible to cover a record number of new patients (96/1 million population as compared with the European average of 61/1 million population). However, the number of older age groups and diabetics increased (in the group above 50 years of age to 17%). The number of patients admitted "from the street" did not decline--it still accounts for one third! 3. In the course of 1993 277 patients/1 million population were dialyzed which is more than in all states of the former eastern bloc. To the date of Dec. 31, 1993 215 patients/1 million population survived. The mortality rate was 13.2%. 4. Hepatitis still remains a major problem--the number of HbsAg positive patients during the last three years did not change, similarly as the prevalence of hepatitis. 5. The dialyzed population is steadily getting older which is not favourable for its prosperity (62% of the patients are older than 50 years). 6. Technical equipment for dialyzation treatment is not yet optimal--21% of the apparatus was amortized, bicarbonate dialysis in all patients was used only in half the centres. 7. The favourable trend in the development of peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) continued, a threefold number of patients was treated as compared with 1992.