Development of dialysis methods and progress in kidney and pancreas transplantation allowed to treat an increasing number of patients suffering from diabetic nephropathy (D.N.). This report evaluates availability and results of treatment in these patients. 31.12.93 in Gdansk and Bydgoszcz area there were treated 519 patients, including 43 (8.2%) with D.N. It is impossible to evaluate the demand for renal replacement therapy in patients with D.N., because there is no exact data concerning diabetic patients with progressing renal failure. Up to now 88 patients with D.M. (68 with IDDM, 20 with NIDDM) were treat in this area. Most of them (92%) were treated with hemodialysis is and only a few with CAPD, 13 patients received a kidney graft. The average patient survival on dialysis treatment in NIDDM patients was 15 months and in IDDM patients was 11 months. Deaths were mainly caused by cardiovascular complications. The results of renal replacement therapy in these patients cannot be compared with data from other re ports, because the treatment was introduced at advanced stage of D.N. in patients with systemic complications (serum creatinine in IDDM was 9.7 md% and in NIDDM was 6.2% mg%). Following conclusions can be drawn from our observations: 1. There is a need for close cooperation between diabetologist and nephrologist in repeat of evaluation of the demand for renal replacement therapy and time for its institution in a particular patient. 2. The choice of method of renal replacement therapy depends on clinical findings in a particular patient but also on methods available in a particular center. 3. Improvement of therapy outcome can be achieved primarily by earlier institution of dialysis (serum creatinine below 5 m5%).
Adolescent Adult