Decreasing trends in incidence and prevalence of renal replacement therapy in Croatia from 2000 to 2009

BACKGROUND Recent studies have indicated stabilization in the incidence rates of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in a number of European countries, the USA, and Japan. The aim of this study was to provide an update on the incidence and prevalence trends of RRT in Croatia over the past decade. METHODS Data from the Croatian Registry of Renal Replacement therapy from 2000 to 2009 were analysed. Trends in incidence and prevalence were examined using the Poisson regression and Joinpoint regression analysis. RESULTS The total adjusted incidence rate of RRT for ESRD increased from 106.1 per million population (pmp) in 2000 to 140.4 pmp in 2004, at annual percentage change (APC) 7.0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.8, 12.6]. From 2004 to 2009, there was no rise in incidence [APC -1.0 (95% CI -4.5, 2.6)]. Continuous growth in incidence was present only in males [APC 2.6 (95% CI 0.9, 4.4)], in patients 65 years and older [APC 5.5 (95% CI 3.4, 7.6)], in patients with diabetes [APC 2.4 (95% CI 0.5, 4.4)], hypertension/renovascular disease [APC 6.1 (95% CI 1.6, 10.8)] and unknown/missing diagnosis [APC13.8 (95% CI 9.0, 18.8)]. The total adjusted prevalence rate rose from 598.7 pmp in 2000 to 785.6 pmp in 2004, at an annual rise of 7.5% (95% CI 5.8, 9.3). In the 2004-09 period, the growth of RRT slowed to APC 2.4 (95% CI 1.2, 3.5), and reached 890.8 pmp in 2009. CONCLUSIONS After a rapid increase in the incidence of RRT in Croatia from 2000 to 2004, the incidence rate has stabilized during the 2004-09 period. The stabilization of incidence is followed by a reduction in the growth in prevalence rate. The stabilization of RRT incidence could be attributed to the successful prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases that simultaneously improved renal survival.