Brazilian Dialysis Census: analysis of data from the 2009-2018 decade

INTRODUCTION: National data on chronic dialysis treatment are essential for the development of health policies that aim to improve patient treatment. OBJECTIVE: To present data from the Brazilian Society of Nephrology on patients with chronic dialysis for kidney disease in July 2018, making a comparative analysis of the past 10 years. METHODS: Data collection from dialysis units, with filling in an online questionnaire for 2018. Data from 2009, 2013 and 2018 were compared. RESULTS: 288 (36.6%) centers answered the questionnaire. In July 2018, the estimated total number of patients on dialysis was 133,464. Estimates of the prevalence and incidence rates of patients undergoing dialysis treatment per million of the population (pmp) were 640 and 204, respectively, with average annual increases of 23.5 pmp and 6 pmp for prevalence and incidence, respectively. The annual gross mortality rate was 19.5%. Of the prevalent patients, 92.3% were on hemodialysis and 7.7% on peritoneal dialysis, with 29,545 (22.1%) on the waiting list for transplantation. Median bicarbonate concentration in the hemodialysis bath was 32 mEq/L. Venous catheters were used as access in 23.6% of the hemodialysis patients. The prevalence rate of positive serology for hepatitis C showed a progressive reduction (3.2%). CONCLUSION: The absolute number of patients and rates of incidence and prevalence in dialysis in the country increased substantially in the period, although there are considerable differences in rates by state. There has been a persistent increase in the use of venous catheters as an access for dialysis; and reduction in the number of patients with positive serology for hepatitis C.