Objective: To determine the age- and gender-related incidence of chronic 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) > or = 200 mumol/l, with the cooperation of all nephrology and dialysis units in 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 > or = 200 mumol/l between July 1991 and June 1992, an overall incidence of 260/million population. 847 had advanced renal failure (Scr > or = 500 mumol/l) and 541 patients (19.5%) were > or = 75 years of age. The age-related incidence was 92, 264, 523 and 619/million population in the age groups 20-39, 40-59, 60-74 and > or = 75 years old, respectively. The annual incidence was twice as high in males than in females up to 75 years and three times as high in patients > or = 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 supportive therapy is 81/million/year.
Conclusions: This epidemiological study in a large French urban area indicates an incidence of 260 patients per million population annually referred to nephrology units for chronic renal failure defined by Scr > or = 200 mumol/l, with a marked preponderance of males and a dramatic increase of incidence with age in both genders.