PROFESSOR MATTHEW JOSE1,2, DR LAURA CUTHBERTSON2, DR KIM JOSE3, DR LEE SKEAT1,2, MR ALEX KITSOS1, MR TIM SAUNDER1, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR RAJESH RAJ4,5, PROFESSOR JAN RADFORD4
1School of Medicine, University Of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia, 2Renal Unit, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Australia, 3Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia, 4School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia, 5Renal Unit, Launceston General Hospital, Launceston, Australia
Aim: To determine the change in prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in rural and remote communities over the last decade.
Background: The number of Australians requiring kidney replacement therapy continues to rise. Lack of contemporary data on CKD in the community make it difficult to assess care needs.
Methods: We examined the change in age-standardised prevalence between 2010 and 2020, using a linked dataset that included any adult with a creatinine test taken in a community laboratory during the study period (n=581,513; 87.8% of the state’s adult population). We defined CKD as two measures of eGFR<60mL/min/1.73m2, at least 3-months apart. Locations were classified according to Modified Monash Model (MM).
Results: Statewide age-standardised prevalence of CKD increased 28% in the decade to 2020, from 516 to 659 per 10,000 population. Prevalence in men increased 31.3% and women 24.8%. The greatest increase in age-standardised prevalence was seen in MM 3-7 with an increase of 36.6% overall, but with considerable community variation (range +0.4% to +88.3%).
This equates to an increase in the actual number of people with CKD by 67% in the decade to 2020 (with the number of women increasing by 58% and men by 79%). For some small rural or remote communities, the number of people with CKD more than doubled (range +3.5% to +193%).
Conclusion: The age-standardised prevalence of CKD in rural and remote regions has increased considerably over the past decade, likely compounded by limited access to primary and secondary healthcare. These findings highlight the need to ensure healthcare resources are directed to areas of greatest need.
Biography:
Matthew Jose is a bushwalker, photographer and mountain runner, who in his spare time works as Professor of Medicine for the University of Tasmania, a Renal Physician at the Royal Hobart Hospital and is a member of the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD), ANZDATA Executive Committee, Convenor of the ANZDATA Working Group for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Co-Convenor of the CARI Kidney Stones working group, and member of the KidGen Steering Committee.