The increasing incidence of end-stage renal disease in Wisconsin from 1982-2003: an analysis by age, race, and primary diagnosis.

PURPOSE To examine the trends in the incidence of end-stage renal disease in Wisconsin from 1982 to 2003. METHODS De-identified incidence data for this study were supplied by the Renal Network of the Upper Midwest (Region 11). We examined trends in the incidence of end-stage renal disease by age, race, gender, and primary diagnosis from 1982 to 2003. RESULTS The incidence of end-stage renal disease increased more than 3-fold from 1982 to 2003. This increase was especially striking in persons with diabetes and hypertension, as well as among those aged > or = 75 years. The increase in the incidence of end-stage renal disease was also apparent among all racial groups and both genders. CONCLUSIONS The continued increase in the incidence of end-stage renal disease in Wisconsin may result from a number of factors, such as an unintended consequence of better chronic disease management, which may predispose older individuals to end-stage renal disease. Resources aimed at decreasing the incidence of end-stage renal disease are needed to prevent unnecessary health care costs and negative health outcomes, including loss of life.