The prevalence of kidney failure (dialysis, renal transplant, home therapies) in Ireland is estimated to be 977 persons per million population (1). Persons with kidney failure are at an increased risk of excess morbidity and premature mortality (2). Men and women with kidney failure requiring dialysis have a >25-year and >30-year projected lifespan decrease respectively compared to the general population (1). These associations have never been assessed in Ireland. The Kidney Disease Clinical Patient Management System (KDCPMS) is a patient management system used in every haemodialysis and transplant centre in Ireland since 2007. A multi-university and multi-agency (National Renal Office (knowledge user), Irish Kidney Association (patient voice), Irish Nephrology Society (knowledge translation)) collaboration has been developed to answer this foundational research question using KDCPMS data. Objective: To describe the evolution of the burden of kidney failure in Ireland by centre, sex, and cause of kidney failure from 2010 to 2020. Design: Retrospective data analysis from national administrative databases. Probabilistic data linkage (3) will be used to link kidney failure data with Central Statistics Office (CSO) mortality data. Participants: 26 nephrology centres in Ireland. Methods: To compare to Global Burden of Disease (GBD) mortality measures, we will calculate age-standardised mortality rates, years of life lost (YLL) due to premature death, years lived with disability (YLD) and disability-adjusted life years (DALY), as well as the percentage of change of these indicators between 2010 and 2020. To compare to United States Renal Data System (USRDS) and European Renal Association (ERA) Registry mortality measures, we will calculate adjusted death rates and unadjusted/adjusted survival probabilities. We will develop a multi-state Risk, Kidney Failure, Transplant, and Death (RKTD) projection model for the National Renal Office. Impact: The outcomes will directly influence policy decisions of the National Renal Office related to national planning for nephrology resource allocation.
