BACKGROUND

The incidence of patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) who start renal replacement therapy (RRT) is increasing.

AIM

To describe the characteristics and survival of patients with DN starting RRT in the UK.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

We analysed data for incident patients on RRT in centres participating in the Renal Association UK Renal Registry (UKRR), 1997 -2004, comparing DN vs. non-DN patients with regard to survival, social deprivation, ethnicity, gender, and age, using Cox regression models.

RESULTS

DN was the most common renal disease (19%) in the 20 532 patients starting RRT. The majority of patients with DN (77%) were Caucasian. Within the Caucasian population, DN patients were more likely to be from a socially deprived area (p < 0.0001). About 20% were referred <3 months before starting RRT. The difference in crude survival was greatest in younger patients (5-year survival was 56% (DN) vs. 85% (non-DN) in patients aged 18-54 years, and 17% (DN) vs. 28% (non-DN) in patients aged >or=65 years). Despite adjusting for gender, age, treatment modality, social deprivation, referral and co-morbidities, the long-term prognosis for DN patients aged 18-54 years was worse (adjusted hazard ratio 2.13, 95%CI 1.23-3.67) than for older age groups.

DISCUSSION

Patients with DN starting RRT are more likely to come from socially deprived areas. Relative risk of death is greatest in working-age DN patients and is not fully explained by recorded co-morbidity. This emphasizes the need for focused diabetes care in poorer areas, and assessment of quality of care of diabetic patients on RRT.