A recent report from the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) identified both positive and negative trends in kidney disease in the U.S.
Highlights from the report include:
- Fewer deaths were reported among dialysis and kidney transplant patients in 2013.
- Prevalence of end-stage kidney disease continued to rise.
- The size of the dialysis population increased 4 percent in 2013, reaching 466,607, and is now 63.2 percent larger than in 2000.
- The active waiting list for kidney transplants was 2.7 times larger than the supply of donor kidneys.
According to researchers, overall trends for end-stage kidney disease are promising for those affected. Patients on dialysis are living longer and equally positive, survival rates have steadily improved among recipients of both living and deceased donor kidney transplants.
While the report highlights several positive trends, it’s important to also consider areas where improvement is needed.
Several lifestyle-related chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases can contribute to kidney disease. Monitoring and early treatment of those conditions are key to prevention, and can help patients keep their kidney disease under control.
To learn more about the report, read the news release.
