Trends in characteristics of ESRD patients at initiation of dialysis therapy

Changing trends concerning the incidence, sociodemographic features, and comorbidities observed among patients, starting their first renal replacement therapy by dialysis were studied in nine geographic regions in France participating in the REIN registry from 2004 to 2009. The standardized incidence of patients on dialysis remained stable while patient age tended to increase. After adjustment for age, the overall number of comorbid conditions remained unchanged, with a decrease in the number of patients with cardiovascular disease. These results, together with trends in laboratory results, suggest that the general health status of the patient population remains unchanged despite increasing age and that care for chronic renal failure has improved, generating an environment of prudent optimism for the future. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS on behalf of the Association Societe de nephrologie.