Aging population causes dialysis hike

Date: Aug. 4, 1999
Time: 3:39 pm

CIHI reported that the prevalence rate for all patients on dialysis in Canada jumped 200% between 1981 and 1997 when the rate stood at 399.2 per million population. This was an increase of 13.9% over 1996.

The increase in incidence of end stage renal disease (ESRD), the most severe form of kidney failure, was much greater for the elderly than for younger age groups. Between 1981 and 1997 the relative increase in ESRD incidence (per million population) was 244% for those aged 65 to 74 and 468% among those aged 75 and above. Canadians aged 45 to 64 experienced a 71% relative increase during that same period.

"People aged 65 and older represented 23% of all ESRD cases in 1981, when we began collecting these data," added Jeffery. "Our latest figures show that by 1997, the proportion had more than doubled to 48%."

A recent issue of the CMAJ also contained a study on the increasing prevalence of end-stage renal disease and cautioned that Canada will likely face a growing shortage of resources to accommodate patients with end-stage renal disease. The crux of the problem lies in the fact that although patients are living longer with chronic kidney failure, there are still not enough organs available for everyone who needs them.

"Unfortunately, the proportion of ESRD patients that recevie a transplant has been steadily decreasing," noted Daria Parsons, Manager of Clinical Registries at CIHI. "By 1997, transplant patients accounted for only 42% of the ESRD population, down from 50% in 1989."

This reflects a shortage of organ donations and the increasing percentage of ESRD patients who are elderly and less likely to be transplant candidates."

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