Trends in the incidence of treated end-stage renal disease secondary to diabetic nephropathy: 1975-1984.

A study of the incidence of treated end-stage renal disease (ESRD) secondary to diabetic nephropathy (DN) in Missouri from 1975 to 1984 documented a relative risk of treated ESRD due to DN 3.7 times higher for blacks than whites. Between 1980 and 1984, the incidence rate for treated ESRD due to DN increased by 150% for white patients and 315% for black patients. Blacks over age 50 have incidence rates of treated ESRD due to DN 4.9 times their white counterparts. Black females have the highest rate of all race/sex groups with DN. The escalating high risk of older blacks for treated ESRD due to DN mandates the development of effective community based identification and referral efforts.