[BIRD: a large database using renal function parameters in France].

The incidence of End-stage renal disease increases in most Western countries including in France. Few data regarding the incidence of mild renal dysfunction are scarce in the general population. The aim of the present study (BIRD study) was to collect in a database the results of creatinine measurements in the general population from a large area (Région Centre), and assess the percentage of patients with mild renal dysfunction (using the Cockcroft formula). This database was financed by the URCAM (social security from the Région Centre). Data from laboratories were regularly sent to the database through an automatic process. Regular ou emails then were sent to physicians in charge of the patient in order to collect information on patient's history of renal and cardiovascular disease. We were able to collect more than 100,000 creatinine measurements (in roughly 70,000 patients) with the participation of 27 laboratories in the Région Centre. The percentage of patients with glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min was 10% in patients 60 and older, 25% in patients with 70 and older and 75% in patients 75 and older. Data coming from the physicians indicated that patients with renal risk were also at high cardiovascular risk. However, these patients are not systematically identified as having renal dysfunction, which explains why diagnosis and appropriate management often are delayed (sonogram was performed in only 25% of patients and 75% of patients never saw a nephrologist). Information regarding assessment of renal function and appropriate management should improve this situation.