LATE REFERRAL OF END-STAGE RENAL-FAILURE

We studied all new patients accepted for renal replacement therapy (RR T) in one unit from 1/1/96 to 31/12/97 (n=198), to establish time from nephrology referral to RRT, evidence of venal disease prior to referr al and the adequacy of venal management prior to referral. Sixty four (32.3%, late referral group) required RRT within 12 weeks of referral. Fifty-nine (29.8%) had recognizable signs of chronic venal failure >2 6 weeks prior to referral. Patients starting RRT soon after referral w ere hospitalized for significantly longer on starting RRT (RRT within 12 weeks of referral, median hospitalization 25.0 days (n = 64); RRT > 12 weeks after referral, median 9.7 days (n=126), (p<0.001)). Observe d survival at 1 year was 68.3% overall, with 1-year survival of the la te referral and early referral groups being 60.5% and 72.5%, respectiv ely (p=NS). Hypertension was found in 159 patients (80.3%): 46 (28.9%) were started on antihypertensive medication following referral, while a further 28 (17.6%) were started on additional antihypertensives. Of the diabetic population (n=78), only 26 (33.3 %) were on an angiotens in-converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) at referral. Many patients are r eferred late for dialysis despite early signs of renal failure, and th e pre-referral management of many of the patients, as evidenced by the treatment of hypertension and use of ACEI in diabetics, is less than optimal.