Renal failure and the requirements for maintenance hemodialysis in Malta

Abstract

In order to estimate the demands for prolonged management of chronic failure by maintenance hemodialysis, one has to consider the number of patients in the community who are likely to benefit from such treatment. Malta, with its small size and a stable population of just under 300,000, is eminently suited for a survey of the incidence of disease in a community. The purpose of the present study is to find the incidence of renal failure in Malta as well as to assess the number of patients who would be suitable for treatment by long term hemodialysis. St. Luke's Hospital is the only general hospital in Malta and uremic patients are at one time or other during their illness investigated in this hospital. For the purpose of this study, renal failure was defined as a blood urea value of 100 mg per 100 ml or more (Branch et al, 1971). All patients, who during some stage of their stay in hospital had a blood urea level of 100 mg per 100 ml or more, were studied.