Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 March 2004
Over the last few decades, the prevalence of chronic renal impairment has increased throughout the population, especially in the older age group. This is not just a consequence of the general increase in longevity, but is also caused by a higher incidence related to improved survival of patients with chronic diseases affecting renal function, such as diabetes, hypertension and ischaemic heart disease, and improved survival of patients with established renal failure.