Burden of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Latin America

Introduction: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) represents a major challenge for Latin America (LA). Epidemiological information needed to assist in the development of ESRD care in the region. The Latin American Dialysis and Renal Transplant Registry (RLADTR), has published several reports and its continuity has implied a sustained effort of the entire LA Nephrology community. This paper summarizes the results corresponding to year 2012. Methods: Our methods have been reported previously. Participant countries complete an annual survey collecting data on incident and prevalent patients undergoing renal replacement treatment (RRT) in all modalities. Results: 20 countries participated in the surveys, more than 90% of the Latin America. The prevalence of ESRD under RRT in LA increased from 119 patients Per million population (pmp) in 1991 to 661 pmp in 2012. HD continues to be the treatment of choice in the region (82%). A wide rate variation in incidence is observed: from 472.7 in Jalisco (Mexico) to 14 pmp in Guatemala. Diabetes remained the leading cause of ESRD. The most frequent cause of death was cardiovascular. There is a wide rate variation of nephrologist by country, from 1.8 pmp in Honduras to 45.2 pmp in Cuba. Discussion: The heterogeneity or even absence of registries in some LA countries is congruent with the inequities in access to RRT in such countries, as well as the availability of qualified personnel. The SLANH is currently running training programs as well as cooperation programs between LA countries to help the least developed start ESRD programs. In this spirit, RLADTR is training personnel to carry out dialysis and transplant registries in LA.