Comparability of the different registries on renal replacement therapy

This symposium was organized in Milano, Italy, on the occasion of the 25th advanced course of the San Carlo Hospital, to discuss and compare the various registries of renal replacement therapy throughout the world. Such comparison is difficult due to differences in (1) the structure and database of the registries, (2) the genetic background and demography of the populations studied, and (3) the health care systems of the countries in which the registries are operating. Therefore, the presentation of the data at the symposium and in the following reports was planned according to a common format, since the speakers were asked to answer a series of specific questions focused on the three above-mentioned problems. The data reported in all the following papers for the various countries are summarized in nine tables in this introductory review. Comparison of the data shows that the quantity and quality of renal replacement therapy is variable and depends to a considerable extent on the different political and socioeconomic backgrounds, with the consequent differences in the health care systems, existing in the various countries.