[World kidney Day 2008: the impact of epidemiology of kidney diseases in Belgium].

: The World Kidney Day offers a crucial opportunity to the Belgian associations of nephrologists to inform public and medical communities about the global problem of chronic kidney disease (CKD). According to epidemiological data from GNFB/ NBVN registries in our country, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes 2 are responsible for an increasing amount of CKD cases with pejorative evolution to end-stage renal disease requiring cost-effective renal replacement therapies (haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis or renal transplantation). In these patients, the high level of comorbidities and the late referral to the nephrologists are recognized as enhanced morbidity and mortality factors. These facts underline the need for the nephrologists to stimulate collaboration with general practitioners and specialists from other disciplines in order to set up systematic screening procedures and early follow-up of patients at risk of developing CKD. These procedures should contribute to reduce the progression rate of renal function impairment.