The number of early deaths due to dialysis and kidney transplants has reduced, according to a recent annual report released by the United States Renal Data System (USRDS). The reduction has been attributed to advanced treatment techniques and alternatives that have reduced the complexities associated with kidney problems. The trends revealed by the report are both positive and negative. The report also revealed that 17,600 kidney transplants had been performed by 2013.

The positive trend involves reduction in the death toll of patients who went through kidney transplants and dialysis in 2013. Since 1996, number of deaths due to dialysis and kidney transplants reduced by 28% and 40% respectively. “Overall trends for end-stage kidney disease are promising for those affected. Patients on dialysis are living longer and equally positive, survival rates have steadily improved among recipients of both living and deceased donor kidney transplants”, said Dr. Rajiv Saran, Director of the USRDS center.

However, on the darker side, a higher number of people have been detected with acute kidney failures. An increase of 4% has been reported in the number of patients on dialysis in 2013 and since 2000, the number of patients on dialysis rose by 63.2% from 466,607.

Additionally, a 52% surge was recorded in the number of patients who can undergo dialysis at home, without going to hospitals or dialysis centers as compared to 10 years ago. A variety of other diseases can result in kidney problems, according to Dr. Saran. Kidney issues can be caused by chronic health conditions that occur due to the patient’s lifestyle. The conditions include hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes and other cardiovascular problems.

Occurrence of kidney diseases can be avoided by timely detection and treatment of these primary causes. In addition, the kidney patients can reduce the complexities by keeping a track of these underlying problems.