Non-diabetic end-stage renal disease among Saskatchewan aboriginal people.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the rates, causes and outcomes of non-diabetic end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among aboriginal and non-aboriginal people in Saskatchewan.

DESIGN

Retrospective population-based study using data from the Canadian Organ Replacement Register.

SETTING

Saskatchewan.

SUBJECTS

All patients with non-diabetic ESRD diagnosed between Jan. 1, 1981, and Dec. 31, 1990.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Age- and sex-specific as well as age-adjusted incidence rates of non-diabetic ESRD among aboriginal and non-aboriginal people in Saskatchewan, causes of non-diabetic ESRD, mortality rates, causes of death and renal transplantation rates.

RESULTS

The 10-year incidence rates of non-diabetic ESRD were higher in all age groups among aboriginal people than among non-aboriginal people. The overall risk ratio for aboriginal people was 2.56. Aboriginal people experienced non-diabetic ESRD at an earlier age and were twice as likely to have a form of glomerulonephritis as a cause. Crude mortality rates, causes of death and transplantation rates were similar in the 2 populations, although we were unable to adjust these for differences in age.

CONCLUSION

Although diabetes is the most common cause of ESRD among aboriginal people in Saskatchewan, this population also experiences an excessive burden of non-diabetic ESRD, which is largely explained by a higher rate of glomerulonephritis.