title: An update on the referral pattern of patients with end-stage renal disease.
abstract: This article first describes the epidemiology and reasons of late referal to the nephrologist of patients suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Depending on the definition, between 25 and 50% of worldwide ESRD patients are referred very late. Second, the relation of late referral to the quality of pre-ESRD care, its impact on the selection of dialysis modality, on the time of start of dialysis and on the use of an adequate vascular access, are discussed. Finally, the economic aspects of late referral are described and ways to improve the referral pattern are proposed.
authors: Renal Division, University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. ingrid.verslychen@rug.ac.be
authors: Norbert
authors: N
authors: Lameire
authors: Jean-Pierre
authors: JP
authors: Wauters
authors: Jose Luis Górriz
authors: JL
authors: Teruel
authors: Wim
authors: W
authors: Van Biesen
authors: Raymond
authors: R
authors: Vanholder
mesh_terms: D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013997:Time Factors