The ERA Registry Annual Report 2021: a summary

Background. The European Renal Association (ERA) Registry collects data on kidney replacement therapy (KRT) inpatients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). This paper is a summary of the ERA Registry Annual Report 2021,including a comparison across treatment modalities.Methods. Data was collected from 54 national and regional registries from 36 countries, of which 35 registries from18 countries contributed individual patient data and 19 registries from 19 countries contributed aggregated data. Usingthis data, incidence and prevalence of KRT, kidney transplantation rates, survival probabilities and expected remaininglifetimes were calculated.Result. In 2021, 533.2 million people in the general population were covered by the ERA Registry. The incidence of KRTwas 145 per million population (pmp). In incident patients, 55% were 65 years or older, 64% were male, and the mostcommon primary renal disease (PRD) was diabetes (22%). The prevalence of KRT was 1040 pmp. In prevalent patients,47% were 65 years or older, 62% were male, and the most common PRDs were diabetes and glomerulonephritis/sclerosis(both 16%). On 31 December 2021, 56% of patients received haemodialysis, 5% received peritoneal dialysis, and 39% wereliving with a functioning graft. The kidney transplantation rate in 2021 was 37 pmp, a majority coming from deceaseddonors (66%). For patients initiating KRT between 2012–2016, 5-year survival probability was 52%. Compared to thegeneral population, life expectancy was 65% and 68% shorter for males and females receiving dialysis, and 40% and 43%shorter for males and females living with a functioning graft.