RESUMEN
The rapid increase in the prevalence of end-stage renal disease [ESRD] necessitates putting into practice some strategies to prevent its development and progression, especially in the developing world. Detailed chronological changes in the incidence of ESRD may sharpen the focus on its prevention. We, therefore, determined the detailed epidemiological features of ESRD in Iran. Data of the national registry of Iran's ESRD provided by the Ministry of Health were used to retrieve the ESRD figures between 1997 and 2006. A total of 35 859 patients who initiated renal replacement therapy [20 633 men and 15 226 women] were registered during the study period from 1997 to 2006. The annual number of patients with ESRD beginning maintenance treatment in Iran increased 130% between 2000 and 2006. During 1997 to 2006, the proportion of new cases of ESRD attributed to diabetes mellitus increased 2-fold from 16% in 1997 to 31% in 2006. The mean age of newly registered men and women increased from 47.0 years and 49.0 years to 52.5 years and 53.0 years, respectively. As for all and major causes of ESRD, age-adjusted incidence rates for men generally were higher than those for women. Male-female ratio was 1.3:1, with no significant changes during this period. We strongly recommend considering chronic kidney disease prevention with initial focusing on strategies and treatment modalities that slow ESRD progression in order to postpone the need for renal replacement therapy