AGE AND GENDER-RELATED INCIDENCE OF CHRONIC-RENAL-FAILURE IN A FRENCHURBAN AREA - A PROSPECTIVE EPIDEMIOLOGIC-STUDY

Objective, To determine the age- and gender-related incidence of chron ic renal failure in a French urban area. Methods. Prospective study of adult patients newly identified as having established, chronic renal failure defined by serum creatinine (Scr) greater than or equal to 200 mu mol/l; with the cooperation of all nephrology and dialysis units i n the Ile de France district (10,660,000 inhabitants) during a 1-year period. Results. 2775 patients (1780 males, 995 females) were referred with Scr greater than or equal to 200 mu mol/l between July 1991 and June 1992, an overall incidence of 260/million population. 847 had adv anced renal failure (Scr greater than or equal to 500 mu mol/l) and 54 1 patients (19.5%) were greater than or equal to 75 years of age. The age-related incidence was 92, 264, 523 and 619/million population in t he age groups 20-39, 40-59, 60-74 and greater than or equal to 75 year s old, respectively. The annual incidence was twice as high in males t han in females up to 75 years and three times as high in patients grea ter than or equal to 75 years (1124 vs 356/million population). Based on the proportion of patients reaching end-stage renal failure within one year of referral, the minimal estimation of the need for supportiv e therapy is 81/million/year. Conclusions. This epidemiological study in a large French urban area indicates an incidence of 260 patients pe r million population annually referred to nephrology units for chronic renal failure defined by Scr greater than or equal to 200 mu mol/l, w ith a marked preponderance of males and a dramatic increase of inciden ce with age in both genders.