Population-Level Evidence for Expanding Kidney Transplantation Programs Worldwide

Abstract

Globally, the burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and need for kidney replacement therapy (KRT - dialysis or transplantation) are increasing. Evidence at the individual patient level identifies kidney transplantation (KT) as the most effective form of KRT, but - in the absence of population-level evidence - countries are prioritizing dialysis services instead. We aimed to assess the population-level relationship between CKD mortality and KRT volume.