Spending on chronic kidney disease rose by over a third between
2000-01 and 2004-05 and is expected to continue to rise, according
to a report released today by the Australian Institute of Health
and Welfare (AIHW).
Chronic kidney disease, or CKD, is a common and serious problem
in Australia and its management can be resource intensive.
The report, Health care expenditure on chronic kidney disease
2004-05, shows that almost $900 million was spent on chronic kidney
disease in 2004-05.
'The 33% rise outstripped the 19% rise in total health care
expenditure over the same period,' said Ms Frances Green of the
AIHW's Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes and Kidney Unit.
People with CKD's most severe form, end-stage kidney disease,
usually require dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.
'Regular dialysis-usually three times a week-is the most common
reason for hospitalisation in Australia, accounting for more than
10% of all admissions,' Ms Green said.
'And the number of dialysis patients is increasing each year. In
2000 there were around 6,400 people receiving dialysis but by 2007
there were nearly 10,000,' she said.
Around $760 million (almost 85% of total CKD expenditure) was
due to dialysis and transplants, with dialysis alone accounting for
more than $593 million.
Health care expenditure on chronic kidney disease
2004-05 is the first report of its kind on chronic kidney
disease spending in Australia.
Thursday 3 September 2009
Further information: Frances Green, AIHW, tel.
02 6244 1172, mob 0407 915 851
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. (02) 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications area
for the availability of Health care expenditure
on chronic kidney disease 2004-05