Current status of renal replacement therapy in Korea.

Abstract

Hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD), and transplantation are the three main replacement therapies for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). To be successful, dialysis requires advanced machines and transplantation requires an adequate number of donor organs. Since the late 1960s, when HD and PD were introduced, the number of dialysis centers and machines has continuously increased. More than 300 hospitals and clinics perform renal replacement therapy in Korea. Newly developed advanced dialysis machines and dialyzers have improved patient survival and quality of life. The development of nephrology as a subspecialty has also contributed to improvement in the treatment of ESRD. In Korea at the end of 2000, HD comprised 62% of renal replacement therapy, PD comprised 22%, and transplantation comprised 16%. In the field of transplantation, there has been tremendous improvement in outcomes and posttransplantation management. This improvement is due to newly developed, potent immunosuppressant medication, improved surgical skill, and improved methods of organ procurement and preservation. To review the current status of renal replacement therapy in Korea, the annual report of the Korean Society for Transplantation and Nephrology is reviewed and summarized in this article.