Chronic kidney disease is increasing in Tasmania, with people in Northern Tasmania at higher risk, and women more likely to be impacted, according to what the researchers describe as the "most comprehensive study" of kidney failure in Australia.
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The study by University of Tasmania researchers state that Tasmania has the highest incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Australia, but also the lowest incidence of dialysis or transplantation treatments, with up to 40 per cent of those diagnosed with final stages not receiving treatment.
The report's seven authors conclude that the chance of receiving dialysis is dependent on geographic location, and also gender, but note "reassuringly" that a majority of those with end-stage kidney failure receive treatment.
"Understanding these geographic and gender variations are important to deliver equitable access to health services for the entire population of this island state," they said.
Their findings were based on data collected from more than 460,000 Tasmanians over a 14 year period, in which 56,438 individuals were identified as having CKD.
It was found that the north west and west coast had a higher number of people impacted by CKD, with a 45 per cent higher incidence than the South, while the North had a 12 per cent higher incidence than the south.
In a decade, the number of people impacted by CKD had increased by 50 per cent in 2017, and across the data, Tasmanian women were 30% more likely to have the disease than men.
"We report the incidence and prevalence of CKD in Tasmania over a 14-year period using community and hospital pathology data.
"We confirm the slow, steady growth of CKD, predominantly in stages 3a and 3b, but with variation by age, gender and geography," the report states.
"The increase in prevalence over the 14-year study period is also of interest, with a greater than 50% increase overall and 40% increase in the prevalence of stages [three, four or five].
"Our previous work has reported this increase in early CKD, but the increasing prevalence in latter stages of CKD is a concern."
The researchers state that morbidity and mortality, especially related to cardiovascular issues, increases.in stages three, four and five.
"These findings highlight the need for early detection and intervention to delay progression to latter stages, with measures that fall well within the domain of general practice care."
It was further stated that rural Australians have less access to health services, are less likely to receive dialysis, and have higher mortality rates.
"These differences are seen in Tasmania, with the people resident in the West and North-West of Tasmania having the highest number of risk factors for chronic disease, the highest incidence and prevalence of CKD as well as the greatest growth in CKD prevalence over the last decade."
The research was funded by Tasmanian Community Fund and Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation.
