[Prevalence of chronic renal failure in primary care].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of chronic renal failure (CRF) without replacement treatment (RT), and to describe the primary renal diseases and associated risk factors that might favour its evolution to terminal renal failure. Design. Cross-sectional, descriptive study.


METHODS
Population attended at a primary care centre (PCC).


METHODS
Over-14s with a clinical history opened at the Bon Pastor PCC.


RESULTS
Between the 1st of January 1997 and the 1st of December 1997, 12241 clinical histories were reviewed. 64 patients were identified who satisfied criteria of CRF without RT, a prevalence of 5228 patients per million inhabitants (95% CI, 3,950-6,510). 71.9% were men, and mean age was 72 (SD, 13.5). The most recent plasma creatinine averaged 2 mg/dl (SD, 0.66). Frequency according to kind of nephropathy was: 3 (4.7%) glomerular, 5 (7.8%) diabetic, 3 (4.7%) interstitial, 41 (64.1%) vascular (hypertension), 2 (3.1%) indeterminate and 10 (15.6%) unclassifiable. Associated risk factors in these patients were: 47 (73.4%) with hypertension, 16 (25%) diabetic, 26 (40.6%) with hypercholesterolaemia, 20 (31.3%) chronic consumers of analgesics, and 10 (15.6%) smokers. 51.6% of the patients suffered other cardiovascular illnesses.


CONCLUSIONS
The estimated prevalence in the population of CRF without RT is 5,228 per million inhabitants. Hypertension is the risk factor most closely associated with this pathology.
Cano Romer
A
A
ABS Bon Pastor, Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain. 27778acr@comb.es
Morlans
M
M
López Plana
A
A
Llosa Dessy
L
L
López Expósito
F
F
Espona Barris
R
R
Brotons
C
C
Massague Camins
C
C
Cortina Carrera
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care