Patterns of end-stage renal disease in US African-Americans

Although African-Americans constitute only about 12.4% of the population of the United States of America (USA), they comprise over 30% of the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patient population. Diabetes mellitus (predominantly type 2) is the most frequently reported cause of ESRD in all racial and ethnic groups in the USA. However, hypertensive renal disease is reported as the dominant cause of ESRD in African-Americans. In general, all racial and ethnic minority group in the USA have greater incidence and prevalence rates of ESRD than Caucasians, However, survival probabilities in all ESRD patients, dialysis patients, and cadaveric renal allograft recipients are greater in African-Americans than in Caucasians. The suggested reasons for these racial and ethnic disparities are discussed.